Olla



May 17, 1932. WOLFE; 1,858,757

OLLA 7 Filed July 51, 19150 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

lNVEN TOR R. WOLF-E ATTORNEYS Patented May 17, 1932 UNITED STATEQ earner RICHARD WOLFE, 015' LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNDR T0 GALIFORNIA, CONSOLI- DATED WATER 00., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, A GORPQRATIGN OLE DELAWARE OLLA Application filed July 31, 1930. Serial No. 472,151.

This invention relates to water coolers, and more especially to a novel construction of olla. whereby the liquid contents of the cooler, are cooled by evaporation of fluid on the outside surface of the olla.

An object of the invention is to provide means for concealing substantially the entire olla or cooler jar.

Another object is to provide concealing means for an olla, of such a nature that the outside surface of the concealing means may be decorated, thereby adding to the general attractiveness of the entire Water cooler construction in addition to protecting the porous olla from contamination by dust, bacteria and the like.

Another object is to increase the outside area of an olla in proportion to the volumetric capacity thereof, so as to increase the efliciency of the olla as a liquid-cooling medium.

A still further object is to add to the concealing means hereinabove described, the feature of inducing a flow of air around not only the sides but also the bottom of the olla, so as to still further enhance the cooling properties thereof.

The invention possesses other objects and advantageous features, some of which, with those enumerated, will be set forth in the following description of the inventions particular embodiment which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the specification.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a View in elevation, showing a water cooler employing the olla and acket therefor,- of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical, medial sectional View taken through the olla and its ackct.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon the line 33 of Fig. 2, with the direction of view as indicated.

Fig. '4 is a rear elevation showing a water cololer employing a slightly modified form of ol :1.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view in elevation of the olla of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a vertical, medial sectional View taken through the olla of Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, detail vertical scctional view taken upon the line 7-7 of Fig. 4 with the direction of View as indicated.

The olla of my invention is intended to be used as a reservoir for liquid such as drinking water, in accordance with the manner of using the conventional olla which forms a portion of the well-known type of Water cooler illustrated upon Fig. 1. Such a water cooler is usually comprised of a stand 6 upon which an. olla is supported in a collector jar, and a bottle 7 or other suitable supply res-. ervoir inverted upon the top of the olla so that the contents of the bottle 7 will flow into the olla.

The olla 8 of my invention, is intended to take the place of the conventional olla, and is supported upon the stand 6 by means of a jacket 9 instead of by the conventional collector jar. The top 11 of the olla 8, is open to permit insertion of the neck of the bottle 7 in the well-known manner. A suitable aperture 12 is provided adjacent the lower end of the olla 8, for the reception'of an outlet faucet 13, there being also an aperture 14 in the jacket 9, which may be brought into register with the aperture 12 so that the faucet 13 may extend through the jacket 9 to be accessible from the exterior thereof.

The olla 8 is made preferably of the same material as that used in the construction of the conventional olla, to Wit, a suitable unglazed clay sufficiently permeable to permit water to seep therethrough and thus keep the exterior surface of the olla moistened. It is the evaporation of this outside moisture that effects the absorption of heat from the olla and its contents, so as to reduce the temperature of the water contained in the reservoir or olla 8.

Owing to the fact that the clay is usually suiliciently porous to permit water to seep therethrough at a faster rate than it will evaporate under normal circumstances, there is usually a slight drip from the olla; and it is for the purpose of collecting this drip and directing it into the drip jar 46, that the collector jar of the conventional water cooler is employed. This collector jar presents a disadvantageous feature, inasmuch as it prevents the circulation of air about the bottom tion, I have provided the jac 'et 9 which is supported upon the top of the stand 6 through the expedient of a plurality of aligned bosses 17 on the interior surface of the jacket 9 adjacent the lower end thereof. These bosses rest upon the top of the stand 6 so as to hold the jacket 9 thereupon in proper position. The jacket 9 is substantially tubular in configuration, but preferably slightly smaller adjacent its upper end than at its lower end. The upper end 18 of the jacket 9, engages an annular collar 19 formed on an enlarged portion 21 of the olla 8, so that the lower portion 22 of the olla 8, which is smaller than the enlarged portion 21, de-

pends inside the jacket 9. Hence, the olla 8 is supported from adjacent its upper end only; and inasmuch as the level of the contents of the olla 8, will seldom, if ever, reach the level of the shoulder 19, air W111 always be able to reach those portions of the exterior of the olla 8, which are kept moist by seepage of the water through the walls thereof. The bottom 23 of the jacket 9 is open, and a plurality of apertures 24 are formed therein adjacent the upper end 18 of the jacket, with the result'that a draught of air is induced through the jacket 9 against the side walls and bottom of the lower portion 22 of the olla This circulation of air is caused by the fact that the air in Contact with the moistened sides of the olla, will be lowered in temperature thereby, with the result that it will fall by gravitation, passing out at the bottom 23 of the jacket 9, drawing other air into the jacket 9 through the apertures 2-1. Since the space 26 between the jacket 9 and the walls supporting structure.

of the lower portion 22 of the olla, is relatively restricted, the jacket 9 will tend to confine this circulating air and keep it in contact with the exterior surface of the moistened portion of the olla.

The provision of the acket 9 whereby the olla 8 is supported. from adjacent the top thereof, makes it possible to leave the bottom 27 of the olla, free from contact with any In this manner, the conventional collector jaris dispensed with. Accordingly, the bottom 27 is rounded as best shown upon Fig. 2, the purpose being to cause any drip from the olla, to fall within a'relatively restricted area, with the result that no funnel structure need be employed to guide the dripping water into the drip ar 16, to take the place of the conventional collector Hence, the extreme bottom 27 of the lower portion 22 of the olla, is possessed of the same cooling efiiciency as the side walls thereof, which is of importance, inasmuch as it makes it possible to cool the contents of the olla with substantially the same efliciency without respect to how full the olla may be. The jacket 9 serves not only as a support and as means for inducing a current of air about the olla 8, but it also adds to the attractive appearance of the entire water cooler. Since the olla 8 must either be left unglazcd or be provided with a crazed glaze wherein the cracks are of sufficient width to permit seepage of water, it is not possible to construct an efiiciently operating olla which is of attractive appearance and on the exterior surface of which decorative material may be employed. Moreover, after an olla has been in use for any length of time. a white deposit, principally calcium carbonate, collects on the exterior surface owing to the evaporation of water containing this material. Hence, the olla is necessarily relatively unsightly; but since my supporting jacket 9 completely encloses the olla 8 from adjacent its upper end to a point lower than the bottom 27 thereof, the jacket 9 serves to conceal the major portion of the olla. not need to be made of porous material, it may be of such a nature and may have such an exterior surface that decorative material may be added thereto, such for example, as a coat of paint or enamel, the color of which harmonizes with the other furnishings of the room in which the water cooler is installed.

The enlarged portion 21 of the olla 8, has its side walls rounded. The upper portion 28 of the enlarged portion 21, curves outwards and downwardsmeeting the shoulder 19 in such a manner that it merges into the exterior surface of the jacket 9 when the olla is supported thereupon, thus tending to conceal the joint between the olla and the jacket. This is another feature which goes to the enhanced attractiveness of the entire water cooler.

lVhcreas the stand 6 and supply bottle '7 are of substantially the same size as the corresponding elements used in the conventional cooler, the jacket 9 is of substantially the same size as the conventional olla: and inasmuch as my improved olla 8 is received inside the jacket 9. the lower portion 22 of the olla is materially smaller than the conventional olla. Hence, the volumetric capacity of the olla 8 is considerably less than that of the conventional olla. whereas the area of its out- 5 side surface is only slightly reduced. It is apparent therefore, that for a given quantity of water within the olla, a greater moistened area on the outside of the olla is presented as compared to an olla constructed according to Since the jacket 9 does ties of the olla of the present invention. ()nly under very exceptional circumstances, will a quantity of water equal to. or greater than I, the capacity of the olla. be withdrawn therefrom, with the result that the decreased capacity thereof, will not be a disadvantage because as fast as water is withdrawn from the faucet 13, a fresh supply of water will enter the olla from the inverted bottle 7. Moreover, owing to the lesser amount of water in the olla even when full, this fresh supply of water received therein, will be lowered in temperature at a faster rate, by the evaporation of the moisture on the outside of the olla, with the result that under most circumstances, the contents of my improved olla will be of a lesser temperature than the contents of the conventional olla operating under similar circumstances.

Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, disclose a modified form of olla 31 which is so constructed that the concealing jacket may be dispensed with, but yet which is supported above the bottom thereof so as to permit unrestricted circulation of air about the bottom of the receptacle, so as to enhance the coolingcapabilities thereof in substantially the same manner as in the case of the previously described olla. The olla 31 is constructed of any suitable relatively porous material as in the case of the first described modification, but rests directly upon the stand 32 instead of being supported thereupon, through the expedient of a supporting and concealing jacket. Inasmuch as the olla 31 is disposed directly to view, I prefer to fashion it with a decorative exterior configuration, such for example, as with a plurality of axially aligned cylindrical portions 33, 34, 35, and 36, of gradually increasing diameter from the top toward the bottom of the olla, each cylindrical portion terminating in a rounded approach 37 to the next larger cylindrical portion. Moreover, I prefor to provide an annular flange 38 on the inner surface of the olla adjacent the open top 39 thereof, whereby a suitable gasket (not shown) may be supported in such position as to interpose the gasket between an upper edge of the olla 31 and the supply bottle 41 which is adapted to be inverted with its neck extended into the open upper end 39 of the olla.

Immediately below the largest cylindrical portion 36, the exterior surface of the olla inclines downwards and inwards, and is provided with an annular depression 42 within which the upper ring 43 of the supporting stand 32 may be received. I prefer to provide a plurality, preferably three cushioning elements 44 of rubber or similar waterproof material, these elements 44 being interposed between the metal stand 32 and the olla 31.

I have found these waterproof cushioning previously described olla, or comes substantially to a point 45 at the extreme bottom, the purpose being the same as in the case of the first described modification, to wit: to cause any drip from the olla,

to fall within a relatively restricted area, so that it will be gatheredwithin the drip jar 46 without the necessity of employing any collector jar.

Itis to be understood that the details of the invention as herein disclosed, are subject to alteration within the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An olla construction comprising a container of permeable material, a jacket supporting said container, said jacket engaging the container adjacent the upper end thereof and extending substantially to the lower end thereof to conceal the major portion of the container, and means for supporting said jacket.

2. In an olla construction, a container of permeable material comprising a lower portion and an enlarged upper portion, a jacket supporting said container by engaging said t enlarged portion and extending below the lower end of said lower portion to conceal the major part of said container, and means for supporting said jacket.

3. In an olla construction, a container of permeable material comprising a lower por I tion and an enlarged upper portion, an annular shoulder on said enlarged portion, a jacket supporting said container by engaging said shoulder, said jacket extending below the lower end of said lower portion to conceal-f the major part of said container, and means for supporting said jacket.

4. In an olla construction, a container of permeable material comprising a lower por tion and an enlarged upper portion, an an nular shoulder on said enlarged portion, a jacket supporting said container by engaging said shoulder, said jacket extending below the lower end of said lower portion to conceal the major part of said container? said jacket being open at the bottom and having a plurality of openings therethrough adjacent its upper end, and means for supporting said jacket.

5. In an olla construction, a container of" permeable material comprising a lower portion and an enlarged upper portion, an annular shoulder on said enlarged portion, a jacket supporting said container by engaging said shoulder, said enlarged portion of said". container merging into said jacket "to conceal the joint therebetween, and said jacket extending below the bottom ofsaid container 5 to conceal the major part thereof, and means for supporting said' acket.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification. RICHARD WOLFEL 

